TIDMAMC
RNS Number : 9915B
Amur Minerals Corporation
10 April 2017
10 April 2017
AMUR MINERALS CORPORATION
(AIM: AMC)
2017 Ice Road Resupply Completed
Amur Minerals Corporation ("Amur" or the "Company"), a
nickel-copper sulphide mineral exploration and resource development
company, is pleased to announce that the Company has completed the
full restock and mobilisation of all newly purchased machinery,
spares and supplies for completion of its 2017 field season on its
Kun-Manie nickel copper sulphide project located in the Far East,
Russia.
Highlights:
-- The largest total resupply effort ever undertaken on the
project commenced on 18 February and was completed on 7 April.
Early initiation of the 350-kilometre-long Ice Road construction
allowed nine convoys to successfully and completely position the
Company for a full implementation of the 2017 field programme.
-- The newly purchased capital items, including a Caterpillar
D6RII dozer, Caterpillar 320D2L excavator, water well drill rig,
truck mounted crane, personnel carrier, fuel truck, drop-side truck
and portable man cabins have been mobilised to site during the Ice
Road period.
-- Over 400 tonnes of summer and winter fuel have been
delivered. This is a significant increase over last year and
enhances the Company's ability to expand its operations at the
Kun-Manie deposit and its adjacent water exploration licence where
it is anticipated that the mill will be constructed.
-- A comprehensive restock of drill supplies, spare parts, and
food stuffs is now complete and the site is in the final stages of
preparation for full summer field crew component of nearly 90
individuals. Field operations are anticipated to begin by end of
May.
-- Mineral exploration drilling of 15,000 to 20,000 metres can
now be completed which will include infill, step out and resource
expansion.
-- The newly acquired water well drill rig will be used to
define subsurface water for use in the processing of 6.0 million
tonnes of ore per annum and to define a potable water supply
capable of supporting a 1,000 man camp required for operation of
the proposed mine configuration. The water well rig will also drill
a series of holes near the Maly Kurumkon / Flangovy ore body to
determine the extent of any required water diversion requirements
and dewatering needs from the anticipated open pit(s) and
underground mining operation.
Logistical summary
The successful delivery of a record tonnage of materials to site
and the newly acquired equipment ensures the Company's ability to
continually advance the Kun-Manie project to a design, construction
decision and DFS compilation.
The Ice Road mobilisation effort was completed by a series of
nine convoys manned by a 35 to 40 team of staff during which over
500 tonnes of supplies and equipment were delivered to Kun-Manie
site over a 30-day period. The last half for the Ice Road use
period was complicated due to rapidly and unseasonably warming
temperatures in the area. The convoy staff is now in place on site
and represents a key component to supporting our operations during
the field season. Their activities have now shifted to preparing
our camp facilities for arrival of the remainder of the team
beginning in late April.
A total of 35 tonnes of drill rods, bits, spares and additives
have been delivered to the site to support Company-owned LF-90 and
LF-70 Boart Longyear rigs allowing us to target over 15,000 metres
of diamond core drilling. Additional new and more highly powered
water pumps, a pneumatic compressor and Thermex WaterLine heaters
will ensure that a continuous water supply can be maintained in low
temperatures and steep terrain environments. Two additional
portable six-man housing units have been sourced, allowing for the
housing of drill crews nearer each of the drill rigs and increasing
their mobility with the Kun-Manie water exploration licences.
The additional Caterpillar ("CAT") equipment expands Amur's
earth moving fleet allowing for additional operational field
objectives to be completed with regard to drill road and drill pad
construction, as well as engineering work directly related to the
development of the project. The onsite dozer fleet now stands at
six. Use of the CAT 320D2L excavator during last year's field
season provided a substantial increase in our ability to rapidly
build roads and drill pads in the increasingly challenging terrain
and permafrost areas less suitable for dozer work. For this reason,
a second 320D2L excavator equipped with a hydraulic hammer was
purchased allowing for an expansion of our abilities to rapidly
construct access roads and drill pads in the remaining drill areas
characterised by increasingly rugged terrain.
Additional equipment purchases transported to the site include a
25-tonne mobile crane, a Ural drop-side truck, a ten cubic metres
fuel truck and a Ural personnel carrier with the capacity to carry
up to 28 passengers. Associated spares for the existing and newly
delivered fleet totalling 40 tonnes are now available on site.
Greatly expanded earth moving and drilling capacity over the
last two years has resulted in increased fuel demand during the
field season operations. This year the Company doubled its summer
fuel restock compared to 2016 to ensure consistent machinery and
equipment performance at various targets at the Kun-Manie project
area. In addition, a total of 35 tonnes of aviation fuel for the
helicopter support required during the summer field season,
gasoline, oils and lubricants have been delivered during the Ice
Road resupply period.
Food and field supplies for the staff anticipated to average 90
permanent and seasonal contract employees are on site.
Approximately 20 tonnes are presently available and will be
refreshed with each scheduled helicopter flight over the course of
the field season.
Robin Young, CEO of Amur Minerals, commented:
"The success of any field season is based on our ability to
fully restock the Kun-Manie project site over the Ice Road. As we
move from drilling to engineering related activities, we continue
to shift our focus toward establishing key considerations related
to the development of information required for inclusion in a
Definitive Feasibility Study. This includes activities such as the
compilation of specific hydrological studies related to processing,
mining and support of a fully maned operation once it is in
production.
"The drilling is also an integral part of the process of setting
up for a production decision. By infill work, we are able to define
reserves for production planning and scheduling and the subsequent
use in finalising Russian required approvals for operational site
activities and laying the ground work for the determination of
funding requirements and any specific terms and conditions to
facilitate the establishment of a viable mine that is also immune
to the impact of variable commodity prices.
"We look forward to initiation of our field operations and the
issuance of our drill updates and associated site activities."
Company Nomad and Broker Public Relations
Amur Minerals S.P. Angel Corporate Yellow Jersey
Corp. Finance LLP
Robin Young Ewan Leggat Dominic Barretto
CEO Soltan Tagiev Charles Goodwin
+74212755615 +44(0)2034700470 +44(0)7747788221
For additional information, visit the Company's website,
www.amurminerals.com.
Notes to Editors
The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed
and approved by the CEO of Amur, Mr. Robin Young. Mr. Young is a
Geological Engineer (cum laude), a Professional Geologist licensed
by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing,
and is a Qualified Professional Geologist, as defined by the
Toronto and Vancouver Stock Exchanges. An employee of Amur for 12
years, previously Mr. Young was employed as an exploration and mine
geologist, mining engineer, construction manager of a mine start up
as well as independent consultant with Fluor Engineers, Fluor
Australia and Western Services Engineering, Inc. during which time
his responsibilities included the independent compilation of
resources and reserves in accordance with JORC standards. In
addition, he has been the lead engineer and project manager in the
compilation of numerous studies and projects requiring the
compilation of independent Bankable Studies utilised to finance
small to large scale projects located worldwide. Mr. Young is
responsible for the content of this announcement which includes
information derived by SRK.
For further information, see the Company website at
www.amurminerals.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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